Frank Lloyd Wright house owners threaten to sue Phoenix

Owners of an iconic east Phoenix house designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright are threatening to sue the city, claiming its effort to designate the property as historic is illegal.

The city's process was prompted by Wright advocates seeking to prevent the house from being demolished.

Chris Kramer, an attorney representing the owners, told the Camelback East Village Planning Committee that, among other things, the city requires that an owner give consent for a property to be considered for historical designation by the city.

He said the co-principals of 8081 Meridian, which owns the David and Gladys Wright House, were never given that opportunity.

He urged the committee not to recommend the historical designation to the city's Planning Commission.

"Because the owners did not consent, it is illegal," Kramer said during Tuesday's committee meeting. "Don't send this to City Council. Because if you do, you're going to get sued and we're going to win, and the house is going to come down anyway."

The committee ended up making the recommendation after a vote to delay a decision failed.

The council would have the final say on the designation after a review by the Planning Commission on Tuesday.

Complicating the matter, 8081 Meridian was given approval for a permit to demolish the home on Sept.4.

However, city officials say the permit should not have been approved because the process for historical designation already had begun.

The city and 8081 Meridian have agreed to maintain the status quo -- meaning no demolition of the property can take place-- at least through Oct.27, according to city documents.

Steve Sells, who along with John Hoffman is co-principal of 8081 Meridian, told The Republic on Wednesday afternoon that he will continue to work with the city to come up with an equitable solution.

He also confirmed there have been offers for the house, including one for $2 million from a person who wanted to remain anonymous.

The house, in the Arcadia area of Phoenix near 56th Street and Camelback Road, was designed by Wright for his son David.

A movement to preserve the home has been under way for months, after the owners indicated a desire to remove the house and develop new homes on the property.

The Village Planning Committee voted 9-5 to recommend historic designation to the Planning Commission, with the stipulation that the city make efforts to find an equitable and permanent solution. That vote came after a motion to delay action failed.

"We should take a stand one way or the other," Commissioner David Kolbe said.

The owners' allegations at the meeting caused a strong reaction from those supporting the historical-overlay designation.

Grady Gammage Jr., a land-use attorney with connections to Wright, countered the allegations at the meeting, claiming that although it may be city policy to get consent for historical designation, it is not included in city ordinances.

City planning officials confirmed that is the case.

"I am not representing anybody tonight," Gammage said. "But the only question that should be addressed here is whether or not this is a significant building. Other issues can be brought up at a different time and place."

Mayor Greg Stanton told The Republic that he hasn't received any paperwork about a lawsuit but that the city is working hard to resolve the issue so that the solution benefits the community and the owners.

"Occasionally, tensions arise between historical preservationists and the rights of property owners. In this case, there shouldn't be an issue," he said.

"I do know that offers have been made on the house, and I believe the building is worthy of preservation. I take this issue very seriously and don't want the black eye on this city that would exist if a Frank Lloyd Wright home were to be demolished."

Earlier this year, 8081 Meridian was approved for a split of the property south of Camelback Mountain.

Since then, a movement has gathered steam, leaving in its wake hundreds of letters and a petition signed by thousands in support of the home's preservation, as well as an international search for a buyer who might save the home.

A historical designation for the home could possibly lead to a three-year stay of demolition.

The stay would effectively give conservators more time to find a new owner for the home. The owners had indicated late this summer that they were open to selling the home to someone who was willing to preserve the structure.

Sells said he acknowledges that passions run high with the property in Arcadia and that although he was not terribly familiar with Wright before this year, he has become a fan.

"But I'm also a supporter of property rights," he said. "And I want to secure the future for my family."

Scott Jarson, a real-estate agent and preservation activist who is working with buyers interested in saving the home, said on Wednesday that he fielded phone calls from "big names" who wanted to buy and save the home, including a famous Hollywood actor and a celebrated Miami architect, as well as an out-of-state buyer who wants to restore, protect and use the home as a second residence.